New Zealand’s greatness has been exposed to the world in movie The Lord of the Rings, but surprisingly few people make their way down here. However, New Zealand’s South Island is home to the purest natural landscapes you’ll ever experience. Nature is at its best here, from glacial valleys to wineries, from wildlife to star-filled skies against a palette of dramatic scenes. The towering alps meet peaceful sounds and rugged coastlines merge with sweeping plains. Do not forget the backbone of the island - the friendly locals you’ll ever meet.
Arrive at the Christchurch Airport and receive warm welcome from our official representative. Upon meeting, take a comfortable seat in the private coach for transfer to the pre booked hotel. Clients can also avail the other option in which they will have to collect the rental car from the Airport and have to self-drive to the hotel.
Christchurch is the South Island’s largest city. It offers a perfect blend of historical buildings, contemporary culture and award-winning gardens; Christchurch is the gateway to the South Island and is a fun and vibrant city to explore.
After pickup from selected Christchurch hotel in the morning, make yourself comfortable in the coach. The 11-hour scenic drive via Mount Cook includes sightseeing stops. You will pass through the flat farmland of the Canterbury Plains toward the glacier-fed waters of Lake Tekapo. Here you can view the remote Church of the Good Shepherd on the shore. Continue south to the small town of Twizel before travelling through the historic Central Otago region to Lake Wakatipu and the ‘Alpine Resort’ of Queenstown.
Twizel is the gateway to Aoraki Mt Cook World Heritage Park and is settled under the gold status Aoraki Mackenzie International Dark Sky Reserve.
After breakfast, you will be picked up from your hotel to begin your Milford Sound tour from Queenstown. This day trip departs the shore of Lake Wakatipu, located against the jagged backdrop of the remarkable mountain range and makes a stop in Te Anau. On arrival at the World Heritage–listed Fiordland National Park, de-embark the coach at the Mirror Lakes. Click photos of this natural roadside attraction before passing through the Hollyford Valley.
The coach will then enter the Homer Tunnel, emerging above the Cleddau Valley, where you’ll follow a footbridge over the Cleddau River to the Chasm to view the river’s turbulent whirlpools. Upon reaching Milford Sound, board the Pride of Milford for sightseeing cruise of 1.5 hour duration.
You will be told enthralling tales of the environment and natural landmarks such as Mitre Peak- one of many towering cliffs carved by a massive glacier in the last ice age. Pass by the cascading waterfalls and search for birdlife and marine mammals including New Zealand fur seals in addition to penguins and pods of dolphins. Later you will be dropped off at your Queenstown hotel.
Treat your taste buds with delicious breakfast at the hotel and enjoy the rest of your day at leisure. Indulge in recreational activities offered at Queenstown like bungy jumping, jetboating, white water rafting, gondola rides and much more completely at your own expense.
Have scrumptious breakfast and depart from Queenstown after hotel pickup and travel by comfortable coach to Christchurch. The scenic drive takes approx. 11 hours to your destination, including sightseeing stops. En route on board, relax and gaze out to take in the breath-taking views of the Otago countryside.
You will cross through the Lindis Pass- the primary inland route to the Mackenzie Basin in the Canterbury Region. When you reach Mt Cook, also known by its Maori name Aoraki, you’ll stop to visit the alpine Mount Cook Village at its base. Ogle New Zealand's highest mountain situated along the Southern Alps in Aoraki/Mt Cook National Park.
You can also opt for an optional scenic helicopter or ski-plane flight with a snow landing. Continue your journey with a stop at the glacial-fed Lake Pukaki and the Church of the Good Shepherd on the shores of Lake Tekapo, before arriving in Christchurch.
After your hotel breakfast check out of the hotel. Thereafter, either in the departure transfer or in the rental car travel to Auckland airport to board the return flight back home.
